Overview

Question 1

What are the phases of a project?

Answer 1

Study, PED, Construction, O&M.

Question 2

Is Emergency Management a Business Line?

Answer 2

No - it’s something we do, but we don’t submit a budget for it - it gets 1% money.

Question 3

What are Priority Outputs of USACE?

Answer 3

Flood, Eco, Nav.

Question 4

What are additional ways to get funded (outside of the President’s budget)?

Answer 4

Workplan & Supplemental

Question 5

Who makes Apportionments (within USACE)?

Answer 5

OMB

Question 6

What phase do you do your first PMP?

Answer 6

Study Phase

Question 7

Who do you go to if you are expecting to exceed costs?

Answer 7

Change Control Board (CCB)

Question 8

What is another term for Construction Purpose?

Answer 8

Business Line Purpose. Both dictate Cost-share rates for Design Agreement & PPA.

Question 9

What are Levels of Performance?

Answer 9

O&M budget 20/20 framework: no mission, partial mission, full mission.

Question 10

in O&M Framework what is another word for “phase”?

Answer 10

Funding Buckets (Common: PA, AT, LE, Specific: SW)

Question 11

what are the main missions of CW USACE?

Answer 11

Flood & Storm Damage reduction, commercial navigation, aquatic/ecosystem restoration (AER)

Question 12

What Reports are required for a project to be submitted to OMB for determination, authorized and budgeted for Construction?

Answer 12

1) Completed Chief’s report
2) Major Rehab Report
3) Dam Safety Modification Report
4) Deficiency Correction Report

Question 13

What are the Construction Program Objectives?

Answer 13

1) ($) Cost Effective
2) (Schedule) Complete Quickly as practicable within Program Constraints
3) (Mission) Consistent with current national priorities.

Question 14

Why do Construction budgets include incremental funding?

Answer 14

unusual for construction projects to be funded to completion in a single budget year.

Question 15

What are the 4 key doccuments to submit for Construction budgetting?

Answer 15

1) Benefit Cost Ration (BCR) & Economic updates
2) Cost Estimate (Construction)
3) Project Schedule
4) Justification Sheet (if in the President’s budget)

Question 16

What is the primary [construction] schedule type?

Answer 16

Network Analysis Schedule (NAS)

Question 17

Who creates the NAS (Network Analysis Schedule)?

Answer 17

PDT & PM

Question 18

What is a PMB?

Answer 18

Performance Measurement BASELINE (Not to be confused with Benchmark for HQ)

Question 19

What are two ways to compress/shorten the schedule?

Answer 19

1) Fast Tracking - overlap sequential activities - pulling it into parallel.
2) Crash - generally throwing more resources at a problem - generally can’t compress critical path activities) ) Typically increase costs

Question 19

What is WBS?

Answer 19

Work Breakdown Structure - deliverables broken into manageable components. (contract documents, contract awards, design, real-estate, relocations etc)

Question 20

lowest allowable reprogramming amount (Investigations)?

Answer 20

$49,999

Question 21

what is the difference between Total Project Cost Summary and Project Fully Funded Cost Estimate?

Answer 21

Nothing. Both are Budget Estimates.

Question 22

what estimate incorperates inflation? and which one doesn’t?

Answer 22

1) Total Project Cost Summary / Fully Funded Cost Estimate
2) Project First Cost (Authorization Estimate)

Question 23

What are Cost Estimate Classifications?

Answer 23

Measures the basis of the estimate’s risk & uncertainties. And drives Contingency factors.
1 - Low risk, low uncertainties (ie. 100% Plans & Specs)
2
3
4
5 - Very High risk and uncertainties (no technical Information)

Question 24

How often does Civil Works Construction Account Projects need to update Cost Certification?

Answer 24

Every 2 years

Question 25

what is CMP and where does it live?

Answer 25

CMP = Change Management Plan and it lives in the PMP.

Question 26

What is WRDA 1986 Section 902 and what does it impact?

Answer 26

Section 902 sets maximum costs for projects.
1) increases may be made by the Secretary for Mods if less than 20%.
2) shall be automatically increased for:
a. Construction costs applied to unconstructed features (like inflation)
.b Mods -

Question 27

Which Programs require Life Cycle Cost Management Initiatives?

Answer 27

Projects & Programs for CONSTRUCTION. (Not O&M)

Question 28

What are some Life Cycle Cost Management Initiatives?

Answer 28

CCB - Change Control Board
CMP
Change Request Form
Risk Register

Question 29

What documentation is required for CCB?

Answer 29

CCB = Change Control Board.
1) Certified Cost Estimate
2) 902 limit calculation
3) latest 3 J-Sheets
MSC Request to Exceed Authorized Project Cost
4) CCB Presentation
5) others may be requested : PMP, agreements, Risk Register, VE reports etc.

Question 30

What is the purpose of CAP?

Answer 30

To plan and implement projects of limited size, cost, scope, and complexity (EP 1105-2-58

Question 31

What is PBUD?

Answer 31

President’s Budget

Question 32

What is the advantage to CAP?

Answer 32

Only 2 phases (can skip PED), is a standing authority (doesn’t need a “new” specific Congressional Authorization)

Question 33

What is Section 1135?

Answer 33

An Authority within CAP for: Modifications of USACE constructed water resources projects to improve the quality of the environment. Also restoration projects at locations where an existing Corps project contributed to degradation.
Limit per project: $10M, Annual limit: $50M

Question 34

How many business lines does O&M Account have?

Answer 34

7: Nav, Flood, Rec, Hydro, Environmental Stewardship, Aquaity Ecosystem Restoration, Water Supply.

Question 35

Which Account holds the 1% set asside? and what is the 1%?

Answer 35

O&M Account holds the 1%
1% is for emergencies.

Question 36

When is the Chief’s report signed?

Answer 36

After a Study is completed and the Chief recommends it for PED